Capital Area United Way's Jambalaya Jam

There are 40 teams competing for the top jambalaya cooking title, and yours truly, Jay D. Ducote, author of Bite and Booze, has been selected to serve as a celebrity judge for the event!

The Capital Area United Way’s 2010 Jambalaya Jam competition scheduled for Thursday, September 23rd is spicing things up this year with a new venue and time for this traditional event.

Over the last eight months a team of volunteers from the community have been working with United Way staff to add a fresh look and feel to the twenty-third annual event sponsored by Dow Chemical Company. The committee composed of volunteers, non-profit agency representatives, marketing professionals, and United Way and Volunteer! United Board Members have been planning exciting new things to generate more revenue, create a signature downtown event, and involve more downtown partners and businesses.

The event, typically held at lunch time, is moving to an evening lineup from 5: 00 – 8:00 pm on Third Street. Forty competing teams will be stretched on the sidewalk areas between North Boulevard and Main Street serving up some of South Louisiana’s best jambalaya. Guests will be encouraged to stroll the area, interact with the competing teams, and flow in and out of the local participating restaurants and bars which will be featuring live entertainment and specials.

A team competes in last year's Jambalaya Jam

The Roux House, Happy’s Irish Pub, Schlittz and Giggles, Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Restaurant and Bar, The M Bar, Stroube’s Chophouse, Red Star, The Office, and Punchers are also joining the event lineup this year. Thanks to the support of Glazer’s, individuals that purchase the 3rd Street Sampler pass will be treated to a special tasting of various drink samples at the bar and restaurant locations.

Four ticket types are available including the following options:
To-go plate dinners - $7.00
All-you-can-eat jambalaya - $10.00
3rd Street Sampler (includes all-you-can-eat and a drink tasting at participating bars) - $25.00 (How could you pass this up?)
Exclusive VIP Lounge located at the 2nd floor of Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s - $75.00 (Join me after I judge!)

In addition, several local eateries, such as Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, LLC and Brew HA-HA are also joining the event and will be handing out free samples of their products.

To purchase tickets and to learn more about the event, please visit CAUW.org.

2010 Sponsors: Dow Chemical Company, Glazer’s, Red Six Media, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola, The Roux House, Happy’s Irish Pub, Schlitz & Giggles, Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Restaurant and Bar, The M Bar, Stroubes Chophouse, Red Star, Puncher’s, The Office, vitaminwater, Louisiana Fish Fry/Tony’s Seafood, Krazy Kajun, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, The Advocate, WBRZ-TV Channel 2, 225, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, The Boot Magazine, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry & Distinctive Gifts, Baton Rouge Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Les Zydeco Da Baton Rouge featuring Mel Chavis, 484 Southband, Smoothie King, The Camelot Club, Brew Ha-Ha, Rex Photobooth Company LLC, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, LLC , EMCO Technologies, National World War II Museum, CC’s Community Coffee House, Silk Screen Shop, City of Baton Rouge, Around Town TV Show, Jean Pierre’s Special Blend Season-all, New Orleans School of Cooking, Court of Two Sisters, Holiday Inn-Downtown Superdome, and YMCA.